Gu Liang and his envoy is on the way back; Gu Liang stride is elegant and flawless. Exuding an air of coolness and aloof demeanor as if nothing else is important but him.
But there is no hint of calmness in his mind. He was told that he was perfect, prodigy and the chosen one. But he really doesn't care about it, in fact, he dreaded it over. Even now, the position of leader group is forcefully handed over to him.
'How did things go this way?'
He screams in his mind, cursing his so-called fate.'
'First I have to deal with the various hypocritical noble in the camp, and then the food shortages and now a murderous rampaging killer is on the prowl!'
Meanwhile all his camp members are just completely sucking up to him, though he can't blame them, they are just children who sadly must undergo the utter insanity of the Southern Academy, or what the Orthodox Alliance likes to call the Southern Mass Grave.
'To think that I will be send to the Southern Academy. I've heard that this place is famous for being used as a political execution place to kill an unwanted noble.'
Gu Liang face is still serene, years of harsh training to ensure 'perfection' has forced him to act this way.
'I thought that when I do everything perfectly, my father would've left me and Tian away from the wretched political world, to think that it devolves this way… I must ensure her safety.'
Gu Liang imagined his sister's face, he's glad that she was with the Demoni Prince, but then again, he cannot fully trust Wu Chen with the task of protecting his sister.
'Hence I will be using you, don't hate me too much Wu Chen…'
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In Wu Chen's camp, he arranged a meeting with four of the camp most influential figures. Gu Tian as the female student's representative, Ni Len as his self-proclaimed 'advisor,' Xiu as the head guard and Ki Xia… Wu Chen forgot what his role is supposed to be, but Ni Len said he was important.
"So… Regarding Gu Liang proposition"
Wu Chen said with a wary expression, logically it's a sound decision, but he can't expect anyone to be a logical person. And moreover, Gu Liang is Gu Tian brother and what from he can tell, their relationship isn't as good as his with Nanming relationship.
And it's obvious that the one gathered there, except Ki Xia understands that they should agree, but the problem is of course, Gu Tian
"…Isn't it obvious?"
Gu Tian said, she already knows they are all hesitant because of her relationship with him, but it doesn't mean she has to comply.
"I will not comply!"
She said as she slams the desk, completely changing the atmosphere from tense to dumb
"I will not see that boy face, I refuse! Noooo"
She said in a barrage of denial, making Wu Chen looked at her pitifully.
Her alabaster soft skin flustered, contrasting nicely to her characteristic Ebony hair as she struggles to keep the tears away from flowing down into her plump cheek….
'Why is my thought describing her like one of those Novel… thing,'
No matter, Wu Chen quickly composed himself, dispelling any notion about fervently describing her so excessively.
"It's not like you are required to meet him…" Wu Chen said with every emotion detached, leaving behind a cold logic unbefitting of a 'child.'
Gu Tian frowned on her ever-inflated face that was already seething with anger. How could he?
"You don't know anything!" She snarls.
At times like this, Wu Chen would calm her down. But now, the semblance of the identity she knows as 'Wu Chen' is replaced by someone who seems to never smile in their entire life. Cold, storm-filled eyes that see nothing but their goals, their destiny.
The difference is almost choking.
"…I'm not going to force anything" Wu Chen said, he looks at Gu Tian with a disguised indifference "If you don't want to, then I won't"
Even though it seems like a reassurance, the tone in which he said those words felt like a threat more than anything
Gu Tian looks at Wu Chen, as if disappointed she purses her lips and gazes down before speaking, her voice barely above whisper.
"Alright… lets cooperate with them"
"Okay"
Wu Chen said, he concludes the meeting and told everyone to continue doing what they are doing. Gu Tian left without talking to him, which is uncommon for her to do.
Wu Chen sat there, looking at the ceiling of the tent in thought.
He thinks about the prospect of this cooperation with Gu Liang, his relationship with Gu Tian and… Gu Tian herself, for as long as he knows, Gu Tian is a cheerful and playful person, but now he knows that it's just a mask to hide what her wound.
'Much like elder sister…'
Seeing her like that creates a rift of wronged speculations of what Wu Chen thought was her real self. Then his mind drift to Nanming, his adopted brother.
Vacant eyes, expressionless pale face, and white hair as deep as snow, he is like a glacier after years of blizzard, something about him suggests that he is older than he looks. Especially his apparent knowledge and experience unbefitting for 10 years old boy
He is not normal, so he can tell so much. But why does he feel strangely pulled towards him? It's the same feeling he had when he is around Wu Yuen, fascinating perhaps.
"Um… B-Boss?"
Ki Xia said as he fiddles with his finger a bit.
"What?"
"The noble kids say they want to get out of the camp"
Ki Xia said. Now Wu Chen remembers, he appointed him as a representative for the Noble kids, or the one who refuses to cooperate with the commoner.
Wu Chen face is passive, he isn't surprised, rather, he seems to have known beforehand about their eventual wish to quit.
"Alright then, get out"
Wu Chen said, Ki Xia flinched. He didn't want to quit the camp.
"N-no. I mean! I won't"
"Why?"
"B-Because I like it here"
Ki Xia confessed.
'Even though he is one of them. Did he plan to become a spy for the noble kids?' Wu Chen thought
"Why?"
"Huh?"
Ki Xia look at Wu Chen; his face is that of confusion.
"Why did you like it here?"
"B-because…"
Ki Xia words hanged in his throat, unable to get it out.
He then exhales a reassuring breath before speaking with a quite restraint voice.
"I… respect you, boss, you never really discriminate against the commoner, and you didn't treat us Noble as if we are above everyone."
Wu Chen then smiles and speaks.
"And why is that?"
Ki Xia then sighed and confessed with wary face.
"You must've known this but, the Ki Clan is a clan of Priest for the White Dragon Sect."
He then sit solemnly in his chair while looking down
"Our motto is 'Serve the people and the people shall give back'."
Wu Chen eyes widen at the motto.
"Quite a profound motto…"
"Indeed"
Ki Xia smiles at his praise
"Thus, I despise those who trampled on the weak, especially those stuck-up brats who stomped on those lower while sucking on those higher."
Ki Xia said as he frowned his brow and clenched his fist to the point that his vein started to bulge.
"In short, even if I am appointed as their representative. My position is but a mere duty, not obligation nor was it an intention. A duty if given the chance, I would immediately resign"
"Geez I get it, you don't need to use fancy words for it you know"
Wu Chen said teasingly which seems to give Ki Xia a reassurance that his choice seems to be correct
"Alright then, you can stay here" Wu Chen said.
"Thank you" Ki Xia then gives him a bow.
"No need to do that, as far as I'm concern, we are equal. At least I perceived it to be that way…"
Chen said as he grabs Ki Xia shoulder and guides him to rise.
"But I do need your help…"
Wu Chen then closes his face to Ki Xia ear, whispering him his plan.
"…I just need to do that. All right, easy enough" Ki Xia said, he then comes out with his own way on how to execute Wu Chen plan successfully.
Wu Chen smiles at Ki Xia agreement and strides away while humming a certain melody.
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The Nobles of Wu Chen camp initially thought that the Demonic Prince would be more complacent towards them, but he doesn't. This causes the Noble, especially the child of the Nian family, to be enraged over this fact.
"That fucker is unfit to be a leader" one of them said.
"I agree, it's a mistake joining this camp!" Another interjects, followed by a unanimous agreement, but the child of the Nian family. Nian Lan who sits in a crossed legged position seems undisturbed by this as he smiles.
"Now-now, calm down my fellow companion" he said, which caused the restless noble to at least look a little calmer.
"Wu Chen won't let us leave this group, because you know what the reason is?" Nian Lan said as he hung his words for others to answer.
"Because he needs our strength?"
"Exactly!" Nian Lan said as he smiled wide.
"Our influence is not to be undermined. Soon, when that Ki clan boy returned, expect Wu Chen words begging us to stay"
His words caused other noble to smile and laugh as if their victory is already guaranteed.
'Wu Chen will simply become my steppingstone, watch me father, I am the one who is fit to be the heir! Not that bastard Lee!'
He then twisted his own lips.
'And once I'm done using him, the flower of the Gu clan, Gu Tian will be mine~'
.
Then, the promised time came. Ki Xia arrives; his face is neutral. Several noble immediately swarm him and demand him to convey Wu Chen words. Nian Lan is overjoyed, he can't wait for his answers.
"So? What did he say?"
Ki Xia stopped just at the edge of the group; in his still neutral face he then said?
"Wu Chen bid you farewell and hope you safe."
"…"
Several of the Noble were confused, so confused that they can't even react.
Nian Lan was the first to say in between shallow laugh.
"What do you mean? Why is he bidding us farewell?"
"It means exactly as you think it is"
Nian Lan heart sank, his plan had utterly failed.
"Wu Chen allows you to leave"
"…. What?"
Nian Lan face fall, so does the other Noble
"No, this is impossible. This must've been a mistake!"
Nian Lan then rushed forward, grabbing Ki Xia collar as he pressed his forehead to him in a fit of anger.
"You're lying! There is no way he would accept it so easily!"
"…Think what you like, he means exactly what he said"
Ki Xia answers as his face remained neutral, this causes Nian Lan to be confused. Ki Xia is a snotty boy who is bad at politic. So how come he would be so brazen?
At his audacity, Nian Lan punched him.
THUD
The fist connects to his cheek, causing Ki Xia to tumble. His nose drops blood, but he doesn't cry, not even a grunt leaves his mouth.
"You fuck! How audacious for you to lie! No, we are staying here... We stay until we got the words from Wu Chen himself!"
"Why though?"
Nian Lan, freeze. That cheerful voice is Wu Chen. He is smiling as every guard on the camp follows him.
"I am not lying, so does Ki Xia."
Wu Chen said as he smiles with close eyes, Ki Xia then snorted and gets up as he snickers at Nian Lan
"Now you've done it…"
Ki Xia said as he moves towards Wu Chen sides, betrayal.
"You…"
Nian Lan seethe with wrath, his fist clenched at his side.
But Wu Chen still smiles, he then said.
"For the crime of harming a fellow campmate, I hereby banished Nian Lan as well as his friends from this camp. No longer will he be welcomed by us."
Wu Chen declares which causes some Noble kids to gasp, some consider switching side.
Nian Lan however, with his Aura already flaring like crazy, is raging at Wu Chen declaration.
"You fuck! I kill you!" He lunges forward; his stance is far from proper.
The camp guards were ready, yet before they could strike. Wu Chen already palm strikes Nian Lan lower jaw which causes him to tumble forward, and before he can even begin recovering.
BLAM
Wu Chen slammed his already grounded head with a precise strike. Nian Lan was incapacitated, Wu Chen then simply rose, hands in back as he strolls back.
His figure is of utter dominance, but before he leaves, he addresses the Noble who is awe stricken at his display of Martial Prowess and is rightfully terrified.
"What are you doing here? Don't you all wanted to leave?"
Several of the Noble then jolts, looking at each other before one of them speak.
"W-We changed our min—"
"No, you guys leave"
Wu Chen interjection leaves the Noble speechless, and before one of them could speak.
"Fuck off"
At his words, the camp guard move and subdue the Noble who is all incapable of Martial Arts, some of them do try to fight back but they were all quickly subdued and thrown out.
Ki Xia, who watched the entire ordeal was astonished and inspired. The figure known as Wu Chen is not only gentle, but fierce when necessary and is determined once he does something. A quality befitting that of a leader, unlike Nian Lan
"…It seems, I have made the right choice."
Ki Xia snickers, talking more to himself as he rejoiced at the choice he had made.